Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
ADJUSTABLE CHAIR ASSEMBLY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No.
63/237,070, filed on August 25, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference
as if set forth in its entirety herein.
l'ECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to an adjustable chair
assembly, and is
specifically directed to an adjustable chair assembly with two separate chair
assemblies or modes.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Chair assemblies for infants, toddlers, and juveniles are well
known. One such
chair assembly is a highchair, which is generally configured to be used in a
dining area. It is
desirable to provide chair assemblies that can be used with standard height
kitchen or dining tables,
as well as chair assemblies that can be used with taller dining surfaces, such
as kitchen islands or
counters.
[0004] Some known highchairs provide the ability to support children of
varying sizes,
such as infants, toddlers, and juveniles or youths. These known highchairs
typically include a
single footrest for the various modes of use for children of varying sizes.
This can be undesirable
due to the single footrest being more suitable for one mode over the other.
[0005] Other known highchairs provide the ability to remove one seat
assembly from
another seat assembly. These types of highchairs require users to engage a
pair of actuators (i.e.
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using two hands) in order to remove one seat assembly from another seat
assembly. This is also
undesirable because users may be holding other items while trying to engage
with the highchair.
[0006] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved chair
assembly that is
easily actuated to convert between various modes or states, and also provides
more adjustment or
flexibility aspects.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present disclosure is directed to an adjustable chair assembly.
In one aspect,
the adjustable chair assembly includes a first seat assembly, a first
footrest, a second seat assembly,
and a second footrest that is different than the first footrest. The first and
second seat assemblies
are configured to be transitioned between a first state in which the first and
second seat assemblies
are attached to each other, and a second state in which the first and second
seat assemblies are
detached from each other. A seat release actuator is configured to detach the
first and second seat
assemblies from each other to transition from the first state to the second
state . In one aspect, the
seat release actuator comprises a single handle.
[0008] Additional embodiments are described below and in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description will
be better
understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, which
illustrate a preferred
embodiment of the disclosure. In the drawings:
[0010] Figure lA is a perspective view of an adjustable chair assembly
according to one
aspect.
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[0011] Figure 1B is a magnified view of a height adjustment feature of the
adjustable chair
assembly of Figure lA in a first state.
[0012] Figure 1C is a magnified view of a height adjustment feature of the
adjustable chair
assembly of Figure lA in a second state.
[0013] Figure 2 is a cutaway perspective view of a portion of the height
adjustment feature
of the adjustable chair assembly.
[0014] Figure 3A is a perspective view of the adjustable chair assembly
with the first and
second seat assemblies attached to each other.
[0015] Figure 3B is a perspective view of the adjustable chair assembly of
Figure 3A with
the first seat assembly detached from the second seat assembly.
[0016] Figure 4A is a perspective view of the first seat assembly in a
partially disassembled
state.
[0017] Figure 4B is another perspective view of the first seat assembly of
Figure 4A.
[0018] Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of an actuator assembly for the
first seat
assembly.
[0019] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an underside of the first seat
assembly illustrating
another actuator assembly.
[0020] Figure 7A is a perspective view of a footrest for the second seat
assembly in a
detached state.
[0021] Figure 7B is a perspective view of the footrest attached to the
second seat assembly.
[0022] Figure 7C is a magnified view of a portion of the second footrest
of Figures 7A and
7B.
[0023] Figure 8A is a perspective view of an underside of a tray assembly.
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[0024] Figure 8B is a perspective view of a top surface of the tray
assembly.
[0025] Figure 8C is a bottom view of a tray actuator assembly according to
one aspect.
[0026] Figure 9A is a side view of a latch assembly for the tray assembly.
[0027] Figure 9B is another side view of the latch assembly for the tray
assembly.
[0028] Figure 9C is a perspective view of a receptacle associated with the
latch assembly.
[0029] Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of the adjustable chair
assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Certain terminology is used in the following description for
convenience only and
is not limiting. The words "front," "rear," "upper" and "lower" designate
directions in the drawings
to which reference is made. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to
directions toward and
away from the parts referenced in the drawings. A reference to a list of items
that are cited as "at
least one of a, b, or c" (where a, b, and c represent the items being listed)
means any single one of
the items a, b, or c, or combinations thereof. This terminology includes the
words specifically
noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
[0031] As shown in Figure 1A, an adjustable chair assembly 10 is disclosed
herein that
generally includes a first seat assembly 100, a second seat assembly 200, a
tray assembly 300, and
a frame assembly 400.
[0032] In one aspect, the first seat assembly 100 is configured to support
a child of a first
size or first age, and the second seat assembly 200 is configured to support a
child of a second size
or second age. For example, the first seat assembly 100 can be a booster seat
that is generally
dimensioned or adapted to support a toddler. The second seat assembly 200 can
dimensioned or
adapted to support an older or larger child. In this aspect, the second seat
assembly 200 can be
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configured as a youth seat, and may be a stool. One of ordinary skill in the
art would understand
that either of the first or second seat assemblies 100, 200 could be
dimensioned or sized to support
children of varying ages, sizes, heights, etc. Although not specifically
shown, restraints can be
included for either one of the first or second seat assemblies 100, 200.
[0033] The adjustable chair assembly 10 generally provides varying levels
of adjustability
and adaptability. For example, the first and second seat assemblies 100, 200
can each be configured
to be selectively detached from a remainder of the adjustable chair assembly
10. Additionally, the
adjustable chair assembly 10 can generally have a height adjustment feature
such that the
adjustable chair assembly 10 is configured to be used at a plurality of
heights. For example, the
adjustable chair assembly 10 can be configured to be used with tables of
standard height (i.e.
preferably 26-30 inches, more preferably 28-30 inches, and most preferably
about 28.5 inches) in
a lower height adjustment setting, or to be used with taller tables, such as
kitchen islands (i.e.
preferably 34-38 inches, more preferably 35-37 inches, and most preferably
about 36.5 inches) in
an upper height adjustment setting. The heights disclosed herein are measured
from a floor or
ground surface to a top of an armrest defined by the first seat assembly 100.
One of ordinary skill
in the art would understand that the height adjustment feature could be
configured to adjust to any
height.
[0034] As disclosed in more detail herein, a plurality of actuators are
provided with the
adjustable chair assembly 10 for adjusting a variety of aspects of the
adjustable chair assembly 10
and/or for detaching one component from another of the adjustable chair
assembly 10. Each of
the actuators disclosed herein are configured to be engaged with a single hand
of a user. This
configuration generally makes it easier and simpler for a user to adjust or
modify aspects of the
adjustable chair assembly 10.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-08-25
[0035] As shown in Figure 1A, the frame assembly 400 is generally
configured to provide
a ground support for the first and second seat assemblies 100, 200. The frame
assembly 400
includes at least one leg or support. In one aspect, the frame assembly 400
includes a pair of legs.
In another arrangement, the frame assembly 400 can include a single leg, or
more than two legs.
[0036] A first leg of the pair of legs can be comprised of two sections
405a, 406a that are
configured to be adjustable relative to each other, such as via a telescoping
arrangement. A second
leg of the pair of legs can be comprised of two sections 405b, 406b that are
configured to be
adjustable relative to each other, such as via a telescoping arrangement.
Based on this
arrangement, a height (H) of the frame assembly 400 can be adjusted. The frame
assembly 400
can include a ground support element, i.e. feet for the legs. In one aspect,
the ground support
element comprises two ground supports 410a, 410b. The ground supports 410a,
410b can each
include a fork-like shape including a pair of supports, in one aspect. One of
ordinary skill in the
art would understand that the configuration of the ground supports 410a, 410b
can vary.
[0037] As shown in more detail in Figures 1B and 1C, the frame assembly
400 includes a
height adjustment feature that is configured to adjust a height of the frame
assembly 400. The
height adjustment feature can have a variety of configurations. In one aspect,
the height adjustment
feature includes a control element 415 (i.e. cable, lever, rod, linkage, etc.)
that is configured to be
engaged by an actuator 440 (i.e. a handle, lever, etc.), as shown in Figure 2.
Pulling the actuator
440, as shown in Figure 2, causes the control element 415 to be pulled upward,
in one aspect, as
is shown in Figure 1C. The control element 415 is configured to selectively
move or displace a
locking element, such as a latch or pawl 425. One end or portion of the latch
425 is dimensioned
to be received within a selective one of a plurality of height adjustment
openings 430a, 430b, 430c,
and 430d. The latch 425 is shown within height adjustment opening 430b in
Figure 1B, and is
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shown pivoted out of contact with the height adjustment openings in Figure 1C
in order to adjust
the height. In one aspect, the height adjustment openings 430a, 430b, 430c,
and 430d are formed
in a bottom portion, i.e. elements 405a or 405b, of the frame support. In
another aspect, the height
adjustment openings 430a, 430b, 430c, 430d are formed in an upper portion,
i.e. elements 406a or
406b, of the frame support. The bottom portion 405a, 405b of the frame and the
upper portion
406a, 406b of the frame can be configured to be slidable relative to each
other. The latch 425 is
configured to selectively lock the bottom portion 405a, 405b of the frame with
the upper portion
406a, 406b of the frame to fix the height of the frame assembly 400. In one
aspect, a biasing
element 420 is provided to bias the latch 425 into a locked position and
within a selective one of
the height adjustment openings 430a, 430b, 430c, 430d. Although a telescoping
arrangement is
shown in Figures 1A-1C, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that
various types of
height adjustment mechanisms and configurations could be used.
[0038]
As shown in Figure 2, the actuator 440 can be provided on an underside of the
second seat assembly 200. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand
that the actuator 440
for height adjustment of the frame assembly 400 can be located in any location
of the adjustable
chair assembly 10. A biasing element 450 can be provided that generally forces
the actuator 440
to a non-engaged or non-actuated position, i.e. a position in which the
control element 415 is not
pulled or tensioned. In one aspect, the biasing element 450 can be a spring,
such as a coil spring
or a flat spring, a resilient material, or any other component that is
configured to generally urge
the actuator 440 to an initial or non-actuated position. In one aspect, the
actuator 440 is arranged
on a rear or back side of the second seat assembly 200. As shown in Figure 2,
a single actuator
440 is provided. The single actuator 440 is configured to tension or pull
control elements 415
arranged in the supports of the frame assembly 400, such that a user only has
to use one hand to
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adjust a height of the frame assembly 400. In another configuration, the
height adjustment feature
can include an actuator formed on a lower region of the frame assembly 400,
such that a user can
selective engage the actuator with their foot. The height adjustment actuator
could alternatively
be provided on one of the legs of the frame assembly 400.
[0039] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the first seat assembly 100 can
include multiple
components or sections that are configured to be separated from each other. In
one aspect, the first
seat assembly 100 can include a first portion or seat back portion 105, a
second portion or seat
portion 110, and a third portion or footrest 115. One of ordinary skill in the
art would understand
that the first seat assembly 100 can be formed as a single unitary component,
or could be formed
from fewer or more components than illustrated.
[0040] In one aspect, the footrest 115 is a first footrest 115 and the
second seat assembly
200 includes a second footrest 215. As shown in Figures 4A, and 4B, the second
footrest 215 is
configured to at least be partially received within the first footrest 115. In
one aspect, the first
footrest 115 is formed as a plastic shell, and the second footrest 215 is
formed as a bar or rod
support and is formed from metal. One of ordinary skill in the art would
understand that the
materials forming the footrests 115, 215 can vary.
[0041] As shown in Figure 4B, the second footrest 215 can be stowed inside
of a receptacle
defined by the first footrest 115 such that the second footrest 215 is hidden
when stowed. Based
on this arrangement, removal of the first footrest 115 also causes removal of
the second footrest
215 from a remainder of the assembly 10. The second footrest 215 can then be
removably coupled
to the second seat assembly 200 when it is separated from the first footrest
115. The first footrest
115 can define a cavity 117 on a rearward face of the first footrest 115. The
first footrest 115 can
include at least one retention element, such as a clip or fingers, configured
to selectively receive
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and retain the second footrest 215. Removal of the second footrest 215 from
the first footrest 115
can require slight pressure or pulling by a user. In another aspect, a locking
element can be
configured to secure the first footrest 115 to the second footrest 215. Other
configurations for
storing or stowing the second footrest 215 can be used.
[0042] In one aspect, a connection arrangement can be provided between a
portion of the
first footrest 115 and the seat portion 110. For example, fasteners 116, such
as latches, tabs,
protrusions or other types of fasteners or securing elements, can be provided
on a first one of the
first footrest 115 or the seat portion 110 that are configured to be received
within a corresponding
pocket, opening, or other type of receptacle on a second one of the first
footrest 115 or the seat
portion 110. Connections between the first footrest 115 and the seat portion
110 can vary, as one
of ordinary skill in the art would understand based on this disclosure.
Alternatively, the first
footrest 115 can be connected to the seat back 105. In order to access the
second footrest 215, the
first footrest 115 can be removed such that a user can freely access and pull
the second footrest
215 out of the first footrest 115.
[0043] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, with the footrest 115 removed, the
first seat
assembly 100 can function or operate as a standalone booster seat that only
includes the seat
portion 110 and the seat back 105. Optionally, the seat back 105 could be
removed from the seat
portion 110 such that the seat portion 110 is a standalone seat device. One of
ordinary skill in the
art would understand that either of these configurations can sit on a floor
surface, chair surface, or
any other type of surface. Restraints can be provided to secure the first seat
assembly 100 to a
support structure, such as a chair.
[0044] As shown in Figure 4B, the first seat assembly 100 can include at
least two actuators
120, 130. In one aspect, a first actuator 120 of the first seat assembly 100
is configured to adjust
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an angle or position of the first portion 105 (i.e. seat back) relative to the
second portion 110 (i.e.
seat portion). In one aspect, a second actuator 130 of the first seat assembly
100 is configured to
selectively release the first seat assembly 100 relative to the second seat
assembly 200. In one
aspect, the first actuator 120 of the first seat assembly 100 is provided in
an upper region of the
first seat assembly 100, and the second actuator 130 is provided in a lower
region of the first seat
assembly 100. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the exact
position of the first
and second actuators 120, 130 can vary. In one aspect, the first actuator 120
is a seat back recline
actuator, and the second actuator 130 is a removal latch or actuator.
[0045] As shown in more detail in Figure 5, the first actuator 120 can be
configured to
tension or pull control elements 122, such as cables. One of ordinary skill in
the art would
understand that other types of control elements, such as linkages, rods, bars,
etc., can be used. The
control elements 122 can be attached at terminal ends to locking elements 124,
such as plungers
or latch pins. The locking elements 124 can be configured to be selectively
engaged within a
respective opening 123a, 123b. In one aspect, the openings 123a, 123b are
angular reclining
openings. A user can pull the first actuator 120 and then manually adjust an
incline angle of the
first portion 105 relative to the second portion 110 based on the locking
elements 124 engaging
with a selected one of the openings 123a, 123b.
[0046] A biasing element 121 can be provided that is configured to force
the first actuator
120 into a non-engaged or non-actuated position. Each of these components
associated with the
first actuator 120 can be housed within a cavity defined by a shell of the
first seat assembly 100.
One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that various configurations
could be used to
provide the ability to adjust one portion of the first seat assembly 100
relative to another.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-08-25
[0047]
As shown in Figure 6, a retention feature is provided that is generally
configured to
secure the first and second seat assemblies 100, 200. As shown in Figure 6,
the second actuator
130 can be configured to cooperate with a retention element 132 (i.e. a
retainer, pocket, clip,
protrusion, projection, etc.) such that the first and second seat assemblies
100, 200 are selectively
secured or attached to one another. A user can engage, i.e. pull or displace,
the second actuator
130 such that the first seat assembly 100 can be removed or detached from the
second seat
assembly 200. Engaging the second actuator 130 can cause either the first or
second seat
assemblies 100, 200 to move relative to each other and disengage the first or
second seat
assemblies 100, 200 relative to the retention element 132. In one aspect, the
retention element 132
is a protrusion for a toe-in attachment arrangement between the first and
second seat assemblies
100, 200. Based on this configuration, the second actuator 130 provides an
arrangement in which
a user can use a single hand to detach the first seat assembly 100 from the
second seat assembly
200. In one aspect, a first state corresponds to a condition in which the
first and second seat
assemblies 100, 200 are secured with each other, and a second state
corresponds to a condition in
which the first and second seat assemblies 100, 200 are detached from each
other. One of ordinary
skill in the art would understand that other types of interfaces and
structures can be used to provide
the ability to connect the first and second seat assemblies 100, 200. In one
aspect, latches can be
provided that selectively retract or extend based on engagement with the
actuator 130. In another
aspect, a slot or groove can be provided in one of the first or second seat
assemblies 100, 200 and
the other one of the first or second seat assemblies 100, 200 can be
dimensioned to slide therein.
In one aspect, the actuator 130 can be omitted and detachment between the
first and second seat
assemblies 100, 200 can require a user pulling one of the first or second seat
assemblies 100, 200
relative to each other, preferably at a predetermined angle. In this
configuration, relatively simple
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retention features, such as flexible fingers or snap-fit elements, may be
provided on one of the first
or second seat assemblies 100, 200.
[0048] Figures 7A-7C illustrate additional details of the second footrest
215 and the second
seat assembly 200. The second footrest 215 can be formed as a generally U-
shaped bar, rod, or
pipe, in one aspect. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that
the second footrest 215
can be formed according to a variety of different shapes, profiles, or
configurations. As shown in
Figure 7A, the second footrest 215 includes two pairs of couplers 220a, 220b
and 220c, 220d. In
one aspect, an upper one of the couplers 220b, 220c are configured to be
selectively secured within
a corresponding receptacle defined on an underside of the second seat assembly
200 or any other
portion of the assembly 10. Figure 2 illustrates at least one post 225 defined
by the second seat
assembly 200 that defines a receptacle 225a configured to receive at least one
of the couplers 220a-
220d. The receptacles for the couplers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d can
alternatively be defined on the
frame assembly 400. In one aspect, the couplers 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d are
snap buttons that are
outwardly biased. A user can manually depress the snap buttons to be retracted
inside of the frame
of the second footrest 215.
[0049] In one aspect, a lower one of the couplers 220a, 220d can remain
exposed (i.e.
visible to a user) on the underside of the second seat assembly 200. In one
aspect, the first pair of
couplers 220a, 220b are linked with each other, and the second pair of
couplers 220c, 220d are
linked with each other. A user can slide the terminal or free ends of the
second footrest 215 into
receptacles on the underside of the second seat assembly 200 such that the
upper one of the
couplers 220b, 220c lock into place. To remove the second footrest 215, a user
can depress the
lower one of the couplers 220a, 220d such that the upper one of the couplers
220b, 220c retract
and the second footrest 215 can be pulled downward and away from the second
seat assembly 200.
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One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that this configuration
could be reversed such
that the second footrest 215 defines receptacles and the underside of the
second seat assembly 200
defines retractable couplers. Figure 7C illustrates the second footrest 215
engaged with the second
seat assembly 200, wherein the coupler 220b is inside of the second seat
assembly 200 to retain
the second footrest 215, and the coupler 220a remains exposed and accessible
to a user to remove
the second footrest 215 from the second seat assembly 200. In one aspect, the
second footrest 215
can have a single connection point with the rest of the assembly 10 instead of
having two free ends.
Various configurations for attaching the second footrest 215 to the assembly
10 can be used.
[0050] The tray assembly 300 can also be configured to be removable from a
remainder of
the assembly 10. Additional aspects of the tray assembly 300 are illustrated
in Figures 8A-9B.
The tray assembly 300 can generally include a support surface 302 on an upper
side. An underside
of the tray assembly 300 can include an actuator 320 and a pair of arms 305a,
305b including latch
assemblies 310a, 310b. In one aspect, the pair of arms 305a, 305b are formed
as metal tubes. As
shown in Figure 8A, the metal tubes can have a bent profile such that at least
a portion of the metal
tubes engages directly against a bottom surface of the tray and provides
structural support for the
tray. Other configurations or profiles for the metal tubes can be used, as one
of ordinary skill in
the art would appreciate from this disclosure.
[0051] In one aspect, the actuator 320 is arranged in a middle region on
the underside of
the tray assembly 300. The actuator 320 could alternatively be provided on
lateral sides of the tray
assembly 300, or any other area of the tray assembly 300. Alternatively, the
actuator 320 could
be integrated with another part of the assembly 10 entirely, such as the first
or second seat
assemblies 100, 200 or the frame assembly 400.
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[0052] The actuator 320 can be configured to be engaged by a user with a
single hand. In
one aspect, the actuator 320 includes a handle and is configured to be pulled
outward in order to
selectively actuate the latch assemblies 310a, 310b. In another aspect, shown
in Figure 8C, the
actuator 320' includes a handle and defines at least one slot 311a, 311b
configured to receive an
end of a control element 315a, 315b, such as a control cable. The at least one
slot can include a
pair of slots 311a, 311b that have an angled profile. Based on this
configuration, as the handle of
the actuator 320' is pushed inward (i.e. the direction indicated by the arrow
in Figure 8C), the
control elements 315a, 315b are pulled towards each other based on the angled
orientation of the
slots 311a, 31 lb. In other words, the linearly inward displacement of the
actuator 320' is translated
to tensioning or pulling of the control elements 315a, 315b due to the slots
311a, 311b. As the
control elements 315a, 315b are pulled, the latch assemblies 310a, 310b are
engaged or actuated.
One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that either of the actuators
320, 320' can be used
with the latch assemblies 310a, 310b, which are described in more detail
herein.
[0053] As shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the latch assemblies 310a, 310b can
include
locking elements or latches 312 that are configured to be selectively engaged
or locked with
receptacles 112 (shown in Figure 9C) defined by the first seat assembly 100.
Specifically, a first
end 312a of the latch 312 can be configured to be received within a portion of
the first seat
assembly 100. The latch assemblies 310a, 310b can include a housing 314 that
is generally
configured to selectively receive the latch 312 as the latch 312 is retracted
based on a user engaging
the actuator 320. The latch 312 can include another end 312b that is pivotally
attached to the latch
housing 314.
[0054] In one aspect, a pair of control elements 315, such as cables,
extend from the
actuator 320 and through the pair of arms 305a, 305b. The control elements 315
are configured to
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-08-25
attach to a respective pair of plungers 318. The pair of plungers 318 are
generally configured to
be linearly displaced based on a user tensioning or pulling the control
elements 315 via the actuator
320. Although the control elements 315 are illustrated as cables, one of
ordinary skill in the art
would understand that other linkages, connections, or structures can be used
to generally provide
some correlation between movement of the actuator 320 and at least a portion
of the latch
assemblies 310a, 310b.
[0055] In an initial state shown in Figure 9A, the plunger 318 is in a
first position that
corresponds to the latch 312 being in an extended state. The plunger 318 can
include an
engagement surface 319a configured to engage a portion of the latch 312. In
one aspect, the
plunger 318 includes a plunger head 319b that defines the engagement surface
319a. In particular,
the engagement surface 319a can include a ramped surface and the latch 312 can
include a pin or
post 313 that is configured to ride along the engagement surface 319a as the
plunger head 319b is
displaced.
[0056] As shown in Figures 9A and 9B, a biasing element 316a is generally
arranged
between a portion of the latch housing 314 and a portion of the plunger 318.
The biasing element
316a is generally configured to bias the plunger head 319b towards a medial
area of the latch
housing 314. In one aspect, the biasing element 316a can be configured to
drive the latch 312 to
an extended position (i.e. locked state relative to the first seat assembly
100). Another biasing
element 316b, such as a spring, can be arranged between a surface of the
housing 314 and the latch
312. In one aspect, the biasing element 316b is configured to bias or force
the latch 312 to an
extended position. The biasing elements 316a, 316b can generally be configured
to be
perpendicular to each other, in one aspect.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-08-25
[0057] Figure 9B corresponds to an engaged or actuated state in which the
actuator 320 is
being engaged. In this state, the plunger 318 is pulled outward relative to
the latch housing 314,
causing the plunger head 319b to pull against the biasing element 316a. This
movement causes
the pin 313 to ride upward along the engagement surface 319a and thereby
retracts the latch 312.
[0058] As shown in Figures 9A and 9B, at least one roller 321 can be
provided that is
configured to guide against an internal surface defined by the receptacles 112
in the first seat
assembly 100. Other types of bearing surfaces or rolling surfaces and
configurations can be used.
[0059] While one configuration of the actuator 320 and latch assemblies
310a, 310b are
illustrated in Figures 8A-9B, one of ordinary skill in the art would
understand that various other
types of configurations can be provided. For example, the control elements 315
may be modified
or omitted and/or various other types of engagement interfaces can be provided
within the latch
housing 314. In one aspect, the tray assembly 300 may be attached to the
assembly 10 using a
hook and retention element, in which a user must tilt the tray assembly 300
upwards or at some
angle in order to release the hook from the retention element.
[0060] In one aspect, the adjustable chair assembly provides at least two
different seats
that are dimensioned to accommodate children of different sizes, and the
adjustable chair assembly
is configured to provide an adjustable height feature such that the adjustable
chair assembly can
be arranged at varying heights. Footrests for the two different seats are
removably attached to the
adjustable chair assembly such that a user can quickly and easily detach the
footrests. The footrests
can be used independently of one another. In one aspect, one of the footrests
nests inside of the
other footrest when not in use.
[0061] The adjustable chair assembly 10 includes a plurality of actuators.
In one aspect,
the actuator 440 can be considered a height adjustment actuator that is
configured to generally
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-08-25
adjust a height of the frame 400. The actuator 120 can be considered a seat
adjustment actuator
that is generally configured to adjust one portion of the first seat assembly
100 relative to another
portion of the first seat assembly 100. The actuator 130 can be considered a
seat release actuator
that is generally configured to release or detach the first and second seat
assemblies 100, 200
relative to each other. The actuator 320 can be considered a tray release
actuator that is configured
to release the tray assembly 300 relative to the adjustable chair assembly 10,
and particularly from
the first seat assembly 100. Figure 10 illustrates the seat adjustment
actuator 120, the seat release
actuator 130, and the height adjustment actuator 440 as being on a single
side, i.e. a rear side, of
the adjustable chair assembly 10. One of ordinary skill in the art would
understand that the position
of these actuators can vary.
[0062] A method of adjusting at least one aspect of an adjustable chair
assembly is also
disclosed herein. In one aspect, the method includes engaging an actuator to
selectively detach a
first seat assembly from a second seat assembly. This step can include
engaging the actuator with
a single hand, and the actuator can be formed as a single handle or lever, in
one aspect. The method
can include adjusting various other aspects of the assembly, such as adjusting
a height of the
assembly or adjusting an angle of a seat back of one of the first or second
seat assemblies. The
method can include adjusting various aspects of the adjustable chair assembly
using control
elements that include cables.
[0063] Although the adjustable chair assembly 10 is illustrated as a
highchair in the
drawings, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that any one or
more of the features or
aspects disclosed herein can be implemented with chairs of various
configurations and
arrangements that are not highchairs.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-08-25
[0064] Having thus described the present embodiments in detail, it is to
be appreciated and
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only
a few of which are
exemplified in the detailed description of the disclosure, could be made
without altering the
inventive concepts and principles embodied therein.
[0065] It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments
incorporating only part of
the preferred embodiment are possible which do not alter, with respect to
those parts, the inventive
concepts and principles embodied therein.
[0066] The present embodiment and optional configurations are therefore to
be considered
in all respects as exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the
scope of the disclosure being
indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and
all alternate
embodiments and changes to this embodiment which come within the meaning and
range of
equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-08-25
